Fuel Economy Is Cool

MORE CAR ADS TOUT FUEL ECONOMY. The number of automotive TV commercials touting vehicle fuel economy tripled in the U.S. after gasoline prices shot up in early September, reports Automotive News. Citing data from TNS Media Intelligence in New York City, it says fuel economy was the focus of only five in 120 new TV auto ads aired between Aug. 22 and Aug. 28. But between Sept. 1 and Sept. 14—right after Hurricane Katrina hit—TNS says 18 of 136 new auto commercials highlighted mileage performance. Auto companies tell AN the statistics are merely a coincidence. They say they were gearing up more fuel economy messages even before the hurricane pushed gasoline prices to record highs.